Progress

Two weeks ago, when I first got my new bike, we went out riding. I had to stop numerous times to catch my breath or let my legs heal, and also stretching. One week ago, I conquered some fairly large hills for me, and also had to stop and usually walk the bike up hills, between being out of breath and also my thighs feeling like one more push and they’d be permanent cinder blocks.

By the end of week 2, I was cruising along pretty well, and had learned how to use my gears better for going up hills, along with finding a good pace for going up hills.

Here I am at week 3. Craig went and measured a mile down the road from where we live. Tuesday we went out and rode down to that mile and back. It has some nice gradual inclines, that for me get my heart pumping and me sweating. On Tuesday, I had to stop at least 3 times before we made it to the mile point, and I stopped dead on the money at one mile. On the way back, I had to stop I think twice to catch my breath and let my legs repair a little.

The happiness comes with the ride from yesterday. We did the same route. I didn’t have to stop, I just used the gears, and pushed through my leg pain, and it did go away. I rode past the mile marker and to a spot where new houses are being built and it’s all dirt. Then headed back up home, also without stopping. Well actually one stop when my chain got funky again, when I shifted from 2 to 1 in the front. But other than that, I rode right back to the door with no stops. I’m still working up a sweat, and can feel it in my legs.

It was a great sense of accomplishment. On vacation we were riding 4-6 miles each time out. Currently I’m only riding 2 miles, but each week I’ll be increasing that and also increasing the amount of hills in my ride.

Now I have to get back on the schtick with the food. I found out I love riding, and with a better diet I hope it will lead to a healthier and trimmer me.